REPORT 


of 

Committee  on  Cooperation 
in  Latin  America 


Representing  the  American  and  Canadian  Mission  Boards 
Working  in  Latin  America 


ROBERT  E.  SPEER.  Chairman 
SAMUEL  G.  INMAN,  Executive  Secretary) 
GEORGE  B.  WINTON,  Editorial  Secretary 
WEBSTER  E.  BROWNING.  Educational  Secretary 


December  thirty-first,  nineteen  hundred  and  nineteen 


25  MADISON  AVENUE 
NEW  YORK  CITY 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/reportofcommitte00comm_6 


Committee  on  Cooperation 
in  Latin  America 


Report  for  Year  Ending  December  31,  1919 

The  Committee  on  Cooperation:  Robert  E.  Speer,  Chairman. 
William  C.  Brown,  Vice-Chairman;  Luther  B.  Wilson,  Vice-Chair- 
man; Samuel  G.  Inman,  Executive  Secretary;  Webster  E.  Brown- 
ing, Educational  Secretary;  George  B.  Winton,  Editorial  Secre- 
tary; Juan  Orts  Gonzales,  Editor  of  Spanish  Publications;  James 
H.  Post;  Eben  E.  Olcott;  Geo.  I.  Babcock;  Henry  C.  King;  Gilbert 
N.  Brink;  Frank  K.  Sanders;  J.  Ernest  McAfee;  Marshall  C.  Alla- 
ben;  Mrs.  Anna  R.  Atwater;  Enoch'  F.  Bell;  L.  C.  Barnes;  Frank 

L.  Brown;  Mrs.  Fred  S.  Bennett;  H.  E.  Stillwell;  Miss  Carrie  J. 
Carnahan;  S.  H.  Chester;  Paul  de  Schweinitz;  Charles  L.  Fry; 
D.  D.  Forsyth;  R.  H.  Glover;  E.  M.  Halford;  William  I.  Haven; 
Miss  Esther  Case;  Miss  Margaret  E.  Hodge;  Ross  A.  Hadley;  A. 
T.  Howard;  John  A.  Marquis;  W.  P.  Minton;  John  R.  Mott;  Frank 

M.  North;  E.  H.  Rawlings;  George  Smith;  Miss  Harriet  Taylor; 
W.  A.  Spicer;  Charles  L.  Thompson;  James  I.  Vance;  Mrs.  Kath- 
erine S.  Westfall;  L.  B.  Wolf;  Mrs.  May  L.  Woodruff. 

Five  years  ago  Latin  America  was  one  of  the  most  neg- 
lected and  least  known  of  all  fields.  There  had  never  been 
held  a conference  where  all  the  forces  came  together  to  consider 
common  problems.  There  was  not  a union  school,  union  paper 
or  union  administrative  committee  in  all  Latin  Amercia.  With 
the  exception  of  Porto  Rico  and  Brazil  there  was  no  definite 
delimitation  of  territory.  There  was  no  cooperative  committee 
of  the  Boards  to  consider  its  needs.  The  home  Church  was 
largely  ignorant  of  and  indifferent  to  its  claims.  North  and 
Latin  America  had  few  commercial  relations  and  political  re- 
lations were  very  unsatisfactory.  There  was  little  intercourse 
between  intellectual  leaders  of  the  two  Americas.  Few  visitors 
from  either  people  were  found  among  the  others. 

Today  there  are  great  changes.  The  Committee  on  Coopera- 
tion in  Latin  America,  which  is  officially  representative  of 
thirty  mission  boards  doing  work  in  those  lands,  held  the 
Panama  Congress,  at  which  there  were  representatives  from 
more  than  fifty  different  organizations  interested  in  the  spiritual 
life  of  Latin  America.  Seven  regional  conferences  were  held 
in  the  important  centers  of  Latin  America  immediately  follow- 
ing Panama  and  aided  in  outlining  a comprehensive  program 
for  the  whole  field.  Combined  Christian  forces  found  in  these 
twenty  nations  a people  united  by  a similar  language,  history, 
government,  social  structure  and  ideals,  making  possible  a joint 
program  for  this  continent  and  a half.  This  program,  which  is 
comprehensive  and  practicable  and  very  encouraging  to  those 

1 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


who  have  followed  it  step  by  step,  has  been  developed  through 
the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America. 

The  Committee  is  organized  to  serve  the  boards  in  making 
continual  studies  and  surveys  of  Latin  American  countries  on 
which  are  to  be  based  the  strengthening  of  the  work  of  indi- 
vidual boards,  more  efficient  distribution  of  forces  and  fields, 
development  of  cooperative  institutions  and  the  publication  of 
a Christian  literature.  Regional  committees  in  each  section  of 
Latin  America  whose  officially  appointed  members  come 
together  to  study  the  entire  work  of  that  field,  have  been 
organized,  encouraged  and  financially  assisted  by  the  Com- 
mittee. 

The  Committee  keeps  in  direct  touch  with  a large  number 
of  missionaries  on  the  field,  sending  them  literature  and  by 
various  means  endeavoring  to  help  and  inspire.  It  furnishes 
to  the  press,  both  in  the  United  States  and  in  Latin  America, 
material  which  will  help  the  cause  of  Latin  American  missions. 
It  has  held  conferences  on  evangelical  education  in  all  the  South 
American  countries  and  has  aided  in  securing  a better  distribu- 
tion of  territorial  responsibility  in  Mexico,  Peru,  Bolivia,  Chile, 
Argentina,  Paraguay,  Cuba  and  Porto  Rico. 

A detailed  study  of  each  Latin  American  country  except 
Central  America  and  Venezuela  has  been  made  by  the  secre- 
taries of  the  general  committee  so  that  they  are  prepared  to 
assist  boards  in  the  development  of  work  in  each  of  these 
countries.  A comprehensive  program  of  union  theological 
seminaries,  union  colleges,  union  literature  enterprises  and 
other  cooperative  work  has  been  developed.  Many  of  these 
are  already  actually  in  operation. 

If  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  did  not 
exist,  it  would  be  necessary  to  organize  some  similar  body  im- 
mediately to  carry  on  the  vast  amount  of  work  the  mission 
boards  do  in  cooperation  in  Latin  America.  Much  of  the  work 
of  the  Committee,  such  as  the  collection  of  data,  working  out 
programs,  developing  literature,  providing  for  conferences  and 
common  discussion,  etc.,  would  have  to  be  done  otherwise  by 
individual  boards  and  would  cost  them  much  more  in  money 
and  time  than  their  share  of  the  support  of  the  Committee. 

The  outstanding  accomplishments  for  cooperation  during  the 
year  1919  have  been  : 

1.  The  consummation  of  the  proposals  of  the  Cincinnati 
Conference  concerning  Mexico. 

2.  Surveying  the  virgin  mission  fields  of  Haiti  and  Santo 
Domingo. 

3.  The  beginning  of  a monthly  review,  “La  Nueva  Demo- 
cracia,”  which  will  circulate  in  all  parts  of  Latin  America,  and 
the  establishment  of  union  periodicals  in  Mexico  and  Cuba. 


2 


Cooi)eration  in  Latin  America 


4.  Cooperation  with  the  Interchurch  World  Movement,  act- 
ing for  it  in  all  matters  connected  with  Latin  America. 

5.  Arranging  for  a Regional  Conference  in  Central  America 
for  March  26-29,  1920,  and  a Conference  for  the  Home  Base 
in  New  York,  January  16-17,  1920. 

6.  Employment  of  a Secretary  of  Literature  for  Brazil,  a 
Secretary  for  Education  in  Mexico  and  a Secretary  for  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Mexico. 

7.  Publication  of  a directory  of  missionaries,  mission 
schools  and  periodicals  in  Latin  America. 

8.  Preparation  in  Spanish  of  the  first  general  Commentary 
on  the  International  Sunday  School  Lessons. 

9.  Beginning  the  publication  of  temperance  literature  in 
Spanish  which  will  become  an  increasingly  important  activity 
of  the  Committee. 

10.  The  beginning  of  union  evangelical  seminaries  in  Porto 
Rico  and  Brazil. 

11.  The  opening  of  the  union  book  depository  in  Chile. 

OCCUPATION  OF  TERRITORY 

The  outstanding  feature  of  the  year’s  work  in  the  adjust- 
ment of  territorial  responsibility  was  the  final  consummation  of 
the  changes  in  territorial  allotment  in  Mexico.  Originating  in 
the  “Cincinnati  Plan”  in  1914,  these  changes  have  been  worked 
out,  modified  and  finally  put  into  effect  by  the  boards  concerned 
working  through  the  Committee  on  Cooperation.  Each  board 
working  in  Mexico  now  has  a definite  field  of  responsibility, 
determined  to  give  best  results  from  the  efforts  of  each  com- 
munion and  to  facilitate  the  administration  of  the  enterprise 
in  each  field. 

Not  the  least  important  feature  of  the  work  in  this  connec- 
tion has  been  the  education  of  the  Mexican  Church  and  its 
leaders  to  the  desirability  of  these  changes.  The  autonomy  of 
local  churches  already  established  has  been  carefully  respected 
and  often  these  congregations  have  been  strengthened  by  being 
placed  on  their  own  responsibility. 

In  regard  to  new  territory  occupied,  the  past  year  has  seen 
the  extension  of  Methodist  missions  into  Costa  Rica  and  that 
of  the  Baptists  in  Nicaragua.  In  Paraguay,  recently  allotted  to 
the  Disciples  of  Christ,  two  missionary  families  have  been  sent 
to  Asuncion,  the  capital,  where  a valuable  plot  of  ground  in  the 
central  part  of  the  city  has  been  purchased  for  the  site  of  a 
school.  A particular  effort  will  be  made  from  the  start  to 
reach  the  educated  classes  in  this  center  and  to  develop  a well- 
qualified  native  leadership. 


3 


Cooperation  in  L.atdii  America 


The  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  have  made  a readjust- 
ment of  territory  in  Chile,  which  has  proved  advantageous  in 
making  the  territory  of  each  more  compact  and  easily  reached. 

The  workers  in  Venezuela  have  asked  for  a visit  of  the 
Executive  Secretary  to  assist  in  studying  territorial  responsi- 
bility and  other  means  of  securing  a more  adequate  occupa- 
tion. One  of  the  Pan  American  magazines  has  also  suggested 
such  a visit  to  report  on  general  conditions. 

Great  unoccupied  stretches  of  territory  still  await  the  coming 
of  the  missionary — interior  Brazil,  most  of  Bolivia,  Venezuela 
and  Colombia,  practically  all  of  Ecuador,  Santo  Domingo  and 
Haiti,  the  greater  part  of  Uruguay,  the  vast  reaches  of  southern 
Argentina,  and  most  of  Central  America.  In  these  great  un- 
occupied fields  live  approximately  twenty  millions  of  Indians 
ranging  from  the  comparatively  civilized  farm  laborers  of  Peru 
and  Bolivia  to  the  savage  pagan  tribes  of  the  Paraguayan  and 
Argentine  Chaco  and  the  upper  Amazon  valley.  Surely  they 
are  as  well  worth  saving  as  the  central  African,  yet  so  far  no 
American  society  has  heard  their  Macedonian  cry.  Even  in 
the  Republic  of  Panama,  for  which  the  United  States  is  in  a 
peculiar  sense  responsible,  tribes  of  pagan  barbarians  are  found 
within  a hundred  miles  of  the  Canal. 

EDUCATION 

The  year  1919  saw  the  formal  opening  of  the  Evangelical 
Seminary  of  Porto  Rico,  a union  institution  fostered  by  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation.  The  school  is  now  doing  a fine 
work  and  filling  a large  place  in  the  educational  life  of  the 
island,  developing  well-equipped  leaders  for  the  national  church 
who  could  only  have  received  this  training  by  the  establishment 
of  a school  of  equal  grade  by  each  of  the  six  cooperating  boards. 
The  economy  and  greater  effectiveness  of  a union  institution 
is  being  demonstrated  in  Porto  Rico  as  it  has  previously  been 
in  Mexico  and  Chile. 

Other  developments  in  education  along  cooperative  lines  will 
be  found  in  the  sections  of  this  report  devoted  to  the  fields  of 
the  various  regional  committees. 

Probably  no  better  idea  of  the  close  contact  maintained  by 
the  Committee  with  the  general  educational  work  of  Latin 
America  can  be  had  than  by  the  following  resume  of  the  activi- 
ties of  the  Educational  Secretary,  Dr.  Webster  E.  Browning: 

In  Eebruary  he  attended  the  national  evangelical  conference 
in  Mexico  as  advisor  on  educational  matters.  He  also  visited 
many  of  the  mission  schools  in  Mexico  and  advised  concerning 
their  development.  He  returned  to  South  America,  via  Brazil. 
He  then  visited  the  new  work  of  the  Disciples  of  Christ  in 


4 


Cooperation  in  Latin  Aineriea 


Paraguay,  conferring  with  the  missionaries  in  regard  to  the  es- 
tablishment of  school  work  in  the  city  of  Asuncion  and  acting 
as  agent  for  the  Disciples’  board  in  purchasing  a plot  of  ground 
for  the  institution  proposed.  With  headquarters  in  Monte- 
video, he  has  naturally  given  much  time  to  the  new  develop- 
ments of  Crandon  Institute  of  that  city  and  the  “Colegio 
Americano”  of  Buenos  Aires. 

In  November  he  made  an  intensive  survey  of  the  city  of 
Buenos  Aires  for  the  Interchurch  World  Movement.  In  De- 
cember he  was  to  have  attended  the  meeting  of  the  Brazilian 
University  Federation,  which  includes  all  the  secondary  mis- 
sion schools  of  that  country.  In  January  he  plans  to  start  on  a 
long  trip  meeting  with  the  Regional  Committees  in  Argentina, 
Chile,  Bolivia  and  Peru,  attend  the  Central  American  Mis- 
sionary Conference  and  arrive  in  New  York  in  time  to  assist 
in  the  campaign  of  the  Interchurch  World  Movement. 

In  the  midst  of  these  travels  he  has  found  time  to  advise 
with  many  educational  institutions,  both  missionary  and  gov- 
ernmental, regarding  problems  of  curricula  and  administra- 
tion ; to  do  considerable  writing  for  publication  both  in  Latin 
America  and  in  the  United  States  including  the  manuscript  of 
a series  of  lectures  delivered  at  Princeton  University  in  the  fall 
of  1918,  and  to  represent  and  link  up  the  evangelical  churches 
in  many  of  the  great  educational  and  social  movements  which 
are  developing  so  fast  all  over  Latin  America.  An  instance  of 
his  service  for  the  churches  along  these  lines  is  his  attendance 
on  the  recent  International  Child  Welfare  Congress  in  Monte- 
video as  the  officially  appointed  representative  of  the  United 
States  government.  All  such  movements  are  crying  for  leader- 
ship in  Latin  America  and  it  is  the  great  opportunity  of  the 
Christian  churches  to  furnish  it. 

LITERATURE 

It  has  become  increasingly  apparent  that  the  production  and 
distribution  of  literature  is  the  field  of  missionary  effort  where 
cooperation  is  not  only  most  necessary  but  most  easily  effected. 
The  sentiment  among  the  boards  in  favor  of  united  effort  in 
literary  work  is  almost  unanimous,  especially  as  it  becomes 
clear  that  the  resources  of  no  single  Church,  either  in  talent 
or  in  money,  are  equal  to  the  development  of  an  adequate  pro- 
duction and  distribution  of  needed  literature. 

The  literature  program  of  the  Committee  is  an  ambitious 
one,  yet  in  no  field  of  endeavor  is  it  so  difficult  to  secure  the 
actual  carrying  out  of  proposed  undertakings.  The  work  of 
original  production  or  of  translation  requires  the  continuous 
application  of  one  man  over  a long  period  of  time.  The  field 

5 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


of  choice  must  be  restricted,  of  course,  to  the  few  men  who 
are  really  qualified.  Such  men  are  always  heavily  burdened 
with  regular  missionary  duties  and  must  be  persuaded  to  de- 
vote all  their  spare  time  for  months  to  a task  that  is  extremely 
arduous.  Such  service  must  generally  be  secured  without 
monetary  compensation  and  without  relief  from  other  duties. 
In  the  face  of  these  difficulties  the  work  naturally  proceeds 
slowly  and  it  is  almost  impossible  to  put  a time  limit  on  any 
production. 

The  Committee  is  neither  a translation  bureau  nor  a pub- 
lishing house,  confining  itself  largely  to  the  executive  work 
necessary  to  initiate  writing  and  translation,  follow  them  to 
completion  and  secure  a publisher  for  the  finished  manuscript. 
An  indication  of  the  success  of  this  work  may  be  seen  in  the 
fact  that  the  Committee  is  becoming  more  and  more  the  agency 
employed  to  find  a proper  publisher  for  completed  manuscripts 
and  that  the  approval  of  the  Committee  on  a manuscript  is 
accepted  as  an  evidence  of  intrinsic  merit  and  correctness  of 
translation  by  the  principal  publishers  of  evangelical  books. 

Books  and  Pamphlets.  The  following  manuscripts  have 
been  completed  during  the  year,  by  the  Editorial  Secretary  of 
the  Committee,  Dr.  Geo.  B.  Winton,  and  the  Editor  of  Spanish 
Publications,  Dr.  Juan  Orts  Gonzalez,  and  are  published  : 

Complete  Commentary  on  the  International  Sunday  School 
Lessons  for  1920. 

Handbook  on  the  Interchurch  World  Movement. 

Eour  important  leaflets  of  the  same. 

Two  Temperance  Pamphlets  in  Spanish. 

The  following  are  complete  and  ready  for  publication : 

Social  Teachings  of  Jesus — Jenks. 

How  to  Live — Eisher  and  Eisk. 

The  United  States  and  the  Moral  Welfare  of  Her  Soldiers 
— Orts. 

The  Greatest  Victory  of  Modern  Times  (Pamphlet). 

A history  of  the  prohibition  movement  in  the  United 
States. 

The  Verdict  of  Mankind  (Pamphlet). 

Testimonies  of  living  men  of  prominence  on  alcohol. 

The  following  books  are  being  translated  either  by  the  Edi- 
torial Department  or  by  men  in  the  field,  under  the  auspices  of 
the  Committee.  Some  of  these  are  nearly  complete. 

The  Pilgrim  Teacher  Training  Course. 

Religious  Education  in  the  Church — Cope. 

Manhood  of  the  Master — Eosdick. 

Meaning  of  Faith — Eosdick. 


6 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


Negotiations  are  now  in  progress  for  the  translation  of  a 
half  dozen  or  more  additional  manuscripts  approved  by  the 
sub-committee  on  literature. 

Periodical  Literature.  The  outstanding  achievement  of  the 
year  in  the  field  of  periodical  literature  was  the  appearance  in 
December  of  the  first  number  of  a high  grade  monthly  review 
along  evangelical  lines.  The  new  magazine  is  called  “La  Nueva 
Democracia”  and  is  dedicated  to  the  spread  of  the  Christian 
ideal  of  democratic  brotherhood  in  Latin  America.  Such  a 
magazine  has  long  been  planned,  but  it  was  not  until  June  of 
the  past  year  that  it  became  assured.  At  that  time  the  Inter- 
church World  Movement  found  it  necessary  to  have  an  organ 
in  Spanish  that  would  properly  present  the  Movement  to  the 
Latin  American  churches.  Consequently  it  was  decided  to 
have  the  magazine  edited  and  published  by  the  Committee  on 
Cooperation  in  Latin  America,  the  Interchurch  Movement  sub- 
sidizing it  because  of  its  service  in  promoting  the  movement. 
The  Rev.  S.  G.  Inman  was  elected  Managing  Editor  of  The 
New  Democracy  and  Dr.  Juan  Orts  Gonzalez,  already  serving 
the  Literature  Committee,  was  made  Editor. 

After  a great  many  difficulties,  due  to  the  short  time  for  or- 
ganization, and  to  a printers’  strike  in  New  York,  the  first 
number  was  issued  in  December.  A gratifyingly  large  group 
of  prominent  writers  in  both  North  and  South  America  have 
become  interested  in  the  periodical,  the  first  number  containing 
four  principal  articles  by  men  of  international  reputation,  as 
well  as  a treatment  of  the  Interchurch  World  Movement  and 
notices  concerning  the  progress  of  evangelical  work  in  Latin 
America.  The  editorial  and  business  offices  of  the  magazine 
are  at  25  Madison  Avenue,  New  York  City,  and  the  subscrip- 
tion price  is  $3.00  per  year. 

The  year  has  also  been  marked  by  the  establishment  of  two 
new  union  evangelical  periodicals  in  the  field,  “El  Heraldo 
Cristiano”  in  Cuba  and  “El  Mundo  Cristiano”  in  Mexico,  mak- 
ing four  such  papers  now  in  existence  as  the  result  of  the 
Committee’s  promotive  work  in  this  direction.  The  new  paper 
in  Mexico  represents  a combination  of  six  denominational 
papers  and  in  its  superior  appearance  and  service  is  already 
greatly  appreciated.  In  Porto  Rico  the  union  paper, which  has 
a larger  circulation  than  any  other  periodical  in  the  Island,  has 
just  increased  its  circulation  by  1,000  by  a special  campaign. 

P ortuguese  Literature.  Greater  progress  has  been  made  in 
the  production  of  Spanish  than  of  Portuguese  literature  since 
the  organization  of  the  Committee.  The  importance  of  good 
literature  in  such  a field  as  Brazil,  with  its  strong  national 
church  and  its  many  capable  writers,  seemed  to  the  Gjinmittee 

7 


Cooperation  in  I.atin  America 


to  warrant  better  provision  for  it  than  has  been  made.  Con- 
sequently the  services  of  Dr.  Erasmo  Braga,  a man  of  excep- 
tional qualifications,  have  been  secured  as  Secretary  of  Litera- 
ture for  Brazil,  and  his  salary  included  .in  the  budget  of  the 
Committee  for  1920-21.  His  work  will  be  along  lines  in- 
dicated by  the  Brazilian  Committee  on  Cooperation,  composed, 
like  the  other  regional  committees,  of  officially  appointed  rep- 
resentatives of  the  IMissions  and  national  churches.  This  ap- 
pointment should  result  in  a distinct  forward  movement  in  the 
production  of  evangelical  literature  in  Portuguese  during  the 
coming  year.  The  Committee  has  contributed  to  the  Brazilian 
Literature  Committee  $600  during  last  year  to  help  in  produc- 
tion of  manuscripts.  They  have  translated  Stalker’s  “Life  of 
Paul’’  which  is  now  being  printed  by  the  American  Tract 
Society  and  are  working  out  an  extended  program  for  the 
immediate  future. 

Syndicating  Service.  The  newspaper  service  of  articles  in 
both  Spanish  and  English  in  the  interest  of  the  evangelical 
plea  for  the  development  of  better  relations  between  the  West- 
ern republics  has  been  maintained  as  an  important  department 
of  the  Editorial  Office.  By  the  release  for  simultaneous  publi- 
cation of  matter  appearing  in  La  Nueva  Democracia  and  the 
World  Outlook  it  will  be  possible  greatly  to  enlarge  this  service. 
These  articles  are  prepared  by  Dr.  Winton  and  Dr.  Orts,  sent 
to  the  executive  office,  mimeographed  and  forwarded  to  about 
90  daily  papers,  and  all  of  the  evangelical  papers  in  Latin 
America.  This  service  has  been  of  great  importance  in  pro- 
moting more  friendly  relations  and  better  understanding  be- 
tween the  American  countries.  It  is  helping  the  evangelical 
press  to  get  high-class  articles  treating  of  important  subjects 
in  the  religious  world  of  today.  Various  evangelical  books 
recently  published  in  Spanish  have  also  been  reviewed  in  these 
articles.  This  year  sjrecial  stress  has  been  laid  on  Temperance 
and  our  articles  on  that  topic  have  been  published  in  a great 
number  of  dailies  and  other  papers  in  many  countries. 

Literature  Distribution. — The  Committee  has  been  working 
for  several  years  to  facilitate  the  circulation  of  evangelical  and 
other  good  literature  in  Latin  America.  The  first  step  in  this 
program  was  the  issuance  in  1917  of  a comprehensive'  anno- 
tated bibliography  of  500  selected  titles,  giving  a brief  descrip- 
tion of  each  book,  its  price  and  the  name  and  address  of  the 
publisher.  Supplements  are  issued  from  time  to  time.  An 
order  for  a dozen  books  often  necessitated  sending  for  them 
to  as  many  different  countries  and  remitting  in  advance  in  half 
a dozen  currencies.  To  remedy  this  situation  the  Committee 
has  been  helping  the  boards  to  organize,  and  financially  assist- 


8 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


ing,  union  literature  depositories  in  the  larger  centers  of  Latin 
America  where  a stock  of  books  is  kept  and  from  which  they 
may  be  procured  at  a minimum  of  time  and  trouble. 

There  are  now  four  such  depositories,  the  ones  in  Cuba  and 
Mexico  maintarning  downtown  sales  rooms  as  it  is  planned  to 
do  finally  in  the  capital  of  every  Latin  American  country. 
These  centers  are  great  evangelizing  agencies.  Following  are 
the  names  and  addresses  of  those  established  to  date: 

H.  D.  Cox,  Egido  12,  Havana,  Cuba. 

Philo  W.  Drury,  Apartado  537,  Ponce,  P.  R. 

C.  S.  Braden,  Apartado  2761,  Santiago,  Chile. 

R.  A.  Carhart,  Apartado  115  Bis,  Mexico,  D.  F. 

Union  Literature  Program  Proposed.  The  Committee  has 
worked  out  a union  literature  program  for  Latin  America 
which  will  be  presented  to  the  Interchurch  World  Movement 
and  through  them  to  the  boards  concerned.  It  involves  a total 
investment  of  $1,215,000  within  a period  of  five  years,  most  of 
which  is  for  property  and  working  capital.  The  program  in- 
volves the  establishment  of  a union  literature  depository  in 
every  large  center  in  Latin  America,  a union  press  and  union 
paper  being  part  of  the  project  in  at  least  one  center  in  each 
country. 

It  provides  a fund  for  the  continuance  of  La  Nueva  Demo- 
craeia  as  a review  in  the  interest  of  Protestant  Missions,  for 
the  publication  of  a young  people’s  paper  in  Spanish  Similar  to 
the  Youth’s  Companion,  and  for  an  international  Sunday 
School  paper  of  the  type  of  the  Sunday  School  Times. 

There  is  also  provided  a fund  of  $350,000  for  use  as  a re- 
volving fund  in  financing  the  publication  of  books  in  Spanish 
and  Portuguese,  to  be  administered  by  a central  board  of  trus- 
tees appointed  by  the  boards  working  in  Latin  America. 

TEMPERANCE  WORK 

Opportunities  for  temperance  work  in  Latin  America  are 
rapidly  increasing  for  three  reasons.  First,  the  growing  ac- 
tivities of  the  national  temperance  societies  in  practically  all 
Latin  American  countries,  stimulated  by  the  prohibition  vic- 
tory in  the  United  States ; second,  the  activities  of  liquor  in- 
terests of  the  United  States  in  transferring  their  business  to 
Latin  American  countries ; third,  the  readiness  of  the  temper- 
ance organizations  of  the  United  States  to  assist  their  southern 
neighbors  in  the  development  of  the  temperance  movement. 
The  Committee  on  Cooperation  has  sought  to  advance  this 
work  by  (a)  collecting  temperance  literature  already  in  use 
in  Spanish-speaking  countries;  (b)  publishing  pamphlets  on 
the  subject;  (c)  furnishing  articles  to  the  secular  and  religious 

9 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


press  in  Latin  America;  (d)  constituting  itself  as  an  agency 
through  which  various  temperance  organizations  can  work, 
with  assurance  of  wisest  methods,  in  Latin  America.  The 
Presbyterian,  Methodist  Episcopal  and  Disciple  Temperance 
Boards  have  assisted  the  Committee  to  support  the  new  Secre- 
tary in  Mexico.  The  Presbyterian  Board  has  contributed  to 
temperance  work  in  Cuba  and  Guatemala  and  the  Methodist 
Episcopal  Board  has  sent  a Secretary  for  this  work  to  South 
America,  about  all  of  which  the  Committee  has  been  asked 
for  counsel. 

Recognizing  the  many  delicate  questions  involved  in  outside 
agencies  doing  reform  work  in  Latin  America,  the  Missionary 
Conference  at  Mexico  City  passed  the  following: 

“It  is  the  sentiment  of  this  Conference  that  we  request 
the  various  organizations  that  contemplate  temperance 
work  in  Latin  America  to  cooperate  in  this  work  with  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America,  which  is  the 
official  representative  organization  for  evangelical  work  in 
Latin  America.” 

The  Committee  should  be  ready  this  year  to  do  a much  larger 
work  in  cooperating  with  the  various  temperance  societies  to 
assist  Latin  America  along  these  lines. 

EXECUTIVE  OFFICE 

Regular  Activities.  All  correspondence  in  connection  with 
the  many  cooperative  enterprises  mentioned  in  this  Report 
passes  through  the  Executive  Office.  In  addition,  hundreds 
of  inquiries  on  every  conceivable  phase  of  Latin  American 
affairs — many  of  them  requiring  considerable  research — are 
answered  by  this  office.  Some  idea  of  the  volume  of  business 
transacted  may  be  gained  from  the  fact  that  the  office  sent  out 
over  3,000  letters  during  the  calendar  year  1919,  in  addition  to 
a great  volume  of  circulars  and  printed  matter. 

In  addition  to  the  trip  to  Santo  Domingo,  the  Executive  Sec- 
retary attended  the  National  Evangelical  Convention  in  Mexico 
City  in  February,  1919,  and  also  the  meeting  of  the  Interde- 
nominational Council  on  Spanish-speaking  Work  in  the  South- 
west, which  was  held  at  Albuquerque  in  March. 

The  Executive  Office  issued  during  the  year  a new  edition 
of  the  “Directory  of  Latin  American  Missions”  containing  over 
800  names  and  addresses  of  missionaries  in  Latin  America, 
with  their  board  connections,  a complete  list  of  union  institu- 
tions with  their  officers,  a list  of  union  literature  depositories, 
and  the  names  and  addresses  of  the  officers  of  the  ten  regional 
Committees  on  Cooperation  in  the  field.  It  is  hoped  to  issue 
another  more  complete  edition  during  the  ensuing  year,  includ- 

10 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


ing  a brief  description  of  the  work  of  Mission  Boards  in  each 
country  and  of  the  Union  Institutions. 

The  collection  of  Spanish  and  Portuguese  books  on  exhibit 
in  the  Executive  Office  has  been  carefully  catalogued  and  made 
available  for  easy  reference.  This  collection  now  includes 
about  one  thousand  volumes. 

Two  sizes  of  maps  showing  the  division  of  territory  in 
Mexico  were  prepared  and  were  so  popular  that  it  has  been 
impossible  to  meet  the  entire  demand  for  them.  An  edition 
of  2,000  pamphlets,  describing  the  Mexico  City  Conference  of 
February,  1919,  has  also  been  exhausted.  The  annotated  bibliog- 
raphy of  five  hundred  best  books  in  Spanish  has  continued  to 
be  in  demand  and  many  agencies  beside  missionary  societies 
have  come  to  value  it.  Through  the  circulation  of  the  Bibliog- 
raphy the  Executive  Office  receives  many  orders  for  Spanish 
literature,  which  are  usually  turned  over  to  the  Union  Deposi- 
tory in  Cuba,  which  is  the  most  central  distributing  agency  for 
all  America. 

Numerous  articles  and  documents  of  interest  have  been 
mimeographed  and  sent  to  the  religious  press  and  leaders  both 
in  the  United  States  and  Latin  America.  The  endeavor  has 
continued  to  send  helpful  literature  to  missionaries. 

Interchurch  Activities.  The  Interchurch  World  Movement 
decided  to  utilize  the  comprehensive  organization  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Cooperation  in  its  work  in  reference  to  Latin 
America.  With  the  approval  of  the  Executive  Committee,  the 
Executive  Secretary  has  been  serving  the  Field  Department, 
the  Survey  Department,  the  Publicity  Department  and  the 
Lantern  Slide  Department  of  the  Interchurch  Movement  as 
director  of  Latin  American  activities.  For  the  Field  Depart- 
ment a program  has  been  worked  out,  by  means  of  conferences, 
deputations,  leaflets  and  a monthly  magazine,  to  carry  out  much 
the  same  program  among  the  churches  in  Latin  America  as  in 
this  country.  The  Protestant  Churches  in  each  Latin  American 
country  have  been  requested  to  come  together  to  consider  a 
forward  movement  in  stewardship,  offering  of  life,  evangel- 
ism and  missionary  endeavor,  along  lines  best  adapted  to  their 
own  fields.  A booklet  has  been  issued  in  Spanish  describing 
the  Movement,  and  a series  of  pamphlets  are  being  published 
on  the  subjects  just  mentioned.  Conferences  are  being  ar- 
ranged through  the  Regional  Committees.  Monthly  messages 
go  to  all  the  field  through  the  “Nueva  Democracia.”  The  Field 
Department  provides  for  the  expenses  for  this  work,  turning 
over  a regular  budget  to  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in 
Latin  America. 


11 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


As  Director  of  the  Latin  American  Survey  Department,  the 
Executive  Secretary  has  had  the  assistance  of  Messrs.  Howard 
E.  Jensen  and  W.  E.  Vanderbilt.  These  surveys,  which  so  far 
have  consisted  in  little  more  than  making  programs,  have  been 
made  through  the  regular  questionnaires,  supplemented  by  con- 
ferences with  missionaries  on  furlough.  A general  conference 
of  such  missionaries  was  held  in  November  and  small  groups 
and  individuals  have  from  time  to  time  been  brought  into  the 
Executive  Office  for  various  periods  to  work  on  the  programs 
for  single  countries.  Such  groups  have  assisted  in  formulating 
programs  for  the  following  countries : Mexico,  Argentina, 
L"ruguay,  Brazil,  Venezuela,  Chile  and  Cuba. 

An  aggressive,  well  balanced  five  year  program  has  been 
worked  out  for  each  of  the  twenty  countries  of  Latin  America. 
These  programs  have  the  great  advantage  of  embodying  the 
exhaustive  surveys  made  for  the  Panama  Congress  and  the 
continued  cooperative  study  of  both  the  central  and  regional 
committees  following  the  Congress.  They  have  been  submitted 
to  the  representatives  of  the  boards  and  as  revised  by  them  will 
form  the  basis  of  askings  for  Latin  America  of  the  Inter- 
church World  Movement.  Surveys  by  special  agents  on  the 
ground  have  been  made  for  the  City  of  Mexico  and  Buenos 
Aires. 

Eor  the  Publicity  Department  many  articles  have  been  fur- 
nished : the  Latin  American  Section  of  the  Survey  Volume  has 
been  written,  while  for  the  Lantern  Slide  Department  requests 
for  assistance ' in  preparing  lectures,  photographic  work,  etc., 
have  been  answered. 

This  work  has  added  greatly  to  the  business  of  the  Executive 
Office,  not  only  in  carrying  out  the  actual  program  of  these  de- 
partments of  the  Interchurch  Movement,  but  also  in  the  extra 
office  routine  involved  in  accounting  for  funds,  correspondence, 
filing,  etc. 

The  work  of  the  Executive  Secretary  has  been  along  six 
lines.  First,  regular  routine  work  of  the  office  including  the 
secretaryship  of  the  sub-committees  of  the  General  Committee 
and  correspondence  with  the  field  committees.  Second,  addresses 
before  churches,  conventions,  open  forums  and  educational  in- 
stitutions on  Latin  American  matters,  which  this  year  have  aver- 
aged about  three  a week.  Besides  these  regular  weekly  lectures 
on  Latin  America  have  been  given  after  office  hours  at  Columbia 
Lhiiversity  and  Union  Theological  Seminary.  A series  of  lec- 
tures at  the  College  of  Missions  in  Indianapolis  on  “Interven- 
tion in  Mexico”  was  published  at  the  request  of  the  Mission 
Board  supporting  the  institution.  Third,  literary  work,  which 
besides  the  book  on  Mexico,  has  included  signed  articles  on 


- 12 


Cooperation  in  tiatin  Amerioa 


work  more  or  less  directly  connected  with  this  Committee  ap- 
pearing in  the  following  papers : New  York  Evening  Post, 
Boston  Transcript,  the  Outlook,  the  Survey,  South  American, 
Pan  American  Magazine,  Pan  American  Review,  Educational 
Foundations,  Missionary  Review  of  the  World.  World  Out- 
look, Student  World,  Intercollegian,  Missionary  Year  Book, 
Missionary  Voice,  Christian  Work,  Christian  Century,  Chris- 
tian Evangelist  and  World  Call,  besides  certain  mimeographical 
material  sent  to  the  religious  press  in  general  and  those  fur- 
nished to  the  Interchurch  World  IMovement.  A handbook  on 
Santo  Domingo  and  Haiti  has  also  been  prepared,  and  a pam- 
phlet reporting  the  Mexico  City  Conference.  Fourth,  visits  to 
the  field,  Mexico  in  January  and  February;  Porto  Rico,  Santo 
Domingo  and  Haiti  in  May  and  J^me.  Fifth,  work  for  the  In- 
terchurch World  Movement  as  Director  of  Latin  American 
Program  in  Surveys  and  Field  Departments  and  managing 
editor  of  “The  New  Democracy.”  Sixth,  activities  connected 
with  membership  in  such  organizations  as  the  Committee  on 
the  War  and  the  Religious  Outlook,  Committee  for  Relief  for 
France  and  Belgium,  Editorial  Board  Missionary  Review  of 
the  World,  and  several  Pan  American  societies. 

SPANISH  SPEAKING  WORK  IN  THE 
UNITED  STATES 

The  Home  Missions  Council  having  requested  the  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  to  act  as  its  committee  on 
Spanish-speaking  work  in  the  United  States,  the  Executive 
Secretary  attended  the  Annual  Meeting  of  the  Interdenomina- 
tional Council  on  Spanish  Speaking  Work  at  Albuquerque, 
New  Mexico,  March  6th  to  8th.  At  that  meeting  it  was  voted 
to  request  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  to 
regard  the  Interdenominational  Council  on  Spanish  Speaking 
Work  as  occupying  the  same  relation  to  the  Committee  that  our 
Regional  Committees  occupy.  This  request  was  approved  and 
a sum  was  voted  for  the  expenses  of  the  Council.  The  Council 
requested  the  help  of  this  Committee  in  securing  the  support 
of  the  boards  for  the  following  proposals : 

Union  Paper  and  Depository 
Interdenominational  Bible  Training  School 
Course  of  study  for  Preachers  and  other  workers 
Executive  Service  for  the  Council. 

These  matters  were  referred  to  the  sub-committee  on  the 
West  Indies,  which  has  been  enlarged  to  take  in  the  boards 
working  in  the  Southwest.  The  Committee  secured  the  alloca- 
tion of  Dr.  J.  H.  Heald,  superintendent  of  the  Congregational 
work,  as  Secretary  of  the  Interdenominational  Work.  He  has 


13 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


just  assumed  his  duties.  The  general  approval  of  the  project 
for  a union  paper  was  also  secured  but  the  first  plan  suggested 
was  not  satisfactory  to  the  workers.  With  some  changes  in 
the  plan  the  paper  should  soon  become  a reality.  The  next 
meeting  of  the  Council  is  to  be  in  Los  Angeles  in  February 
and  should  have  a full  attendance  of  board  representatives. 

CUBA 

The  annual  meeting  of  the  Committee  on  Conference  in  Cuba 
was  held  in  March,  1919.  Among  the  more  important  actions 
taken  were  the  approval  of  the  following; 

1.  Temperance  and  Anti-Gambling  Campaign.  This  cam- 
paign has  been  carried  out  on  cooperative  lines.  Thousands  of 
pieces  of  literature  have  been  distributed  by  the  Committee  and 
many  instructive  posters  published.  Medal  contests  have  also 
been  conducted  throughout  the  island  and  have  awakened  great 
interest. 

2.  Enlargement  of  “La  Nneva  Senda”,  the  Union  Book- 
store. A budget  of  $35,000  for  five  years  has  been  agreed 
upon  and  a holding  corporation  formed  to  operate  the  enter- 
prise. The  depository  has  already  become  a literature 
center  for  the  island,  having  orders  on  its  books  at  one  time 
for  a thousand  hymn  books  and  as  many  Bibles  in  excess  of 
what  it  could  secure  from  the  publishers.  A small  store  in 
the  central  part  of  the  city  has  been  opened  with  remarkable 
results.  Because  of  its  central  position  as  a shipping  center  it 
has  been  decided  to  use  this  store  to  fill  orders  received  by  the 
Central  Committee,  and  now  practically  all  the  books  listed  in 
the  Spanish  Bibliography  are  obtainable  at  “La  Nueva  Senda.” 
The  bookstore  is  also  Cuban  headquarters  for  The  American 
Bible  Society,  the  American  Tract  Society,  the  Cuban  Sunday 
School  Association,  as  the  manager.  Rev.  Henry  D.  Cox,  is 
also  representative  of  these  organizations.  Also  using  the  ad- 
vantage of  the  city  as  a publishing  center,  arrangements  have 
been  made  to  publish  some  general  literature  there. 

The  Nueva  Senda  finds  an  open  field  for  supplying  churches 
and  institutions  with  books  for  libraries,  of  both  the  circulating 
and  permanent  kind.  These  libraries  are  providing  the  mental 
food  that  all  missionaries  recognize  as  essential  to  the  building 
up  of  any  Christian  community.  One  worker  who  has  charge 
of  one  of  these  libraries  says  of  its  practical  'working  ability 
that  probably  no  one  force  has  done  more  to  raise  the  general 
mental  condition  of  the  community  than  the  circulation  of  the 
books  of  this  library.  Students,  lawyers,  merchants,  teachers, 
washer  women  and  laboring  men  find  alike  helpful  and  inspir- 
ing literature  at  a price  that  anyone  can  afiford. 

14 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


3.  Publication  of  a Union  Evangelical  Paper.  “El  Heraldo 
Cristiano,”  a neat  and  attractive  monthly  is  the  answer  to  this 
resolution.  It  is  edited  by  the  Rev.  Ezeqniel  Torres,  and  sup- 
ported jointly  by  the  Presbyterians  and  Friends,  althoiigh  sub- 
scribers are  had  among  all  the  communions.  Though  estab- 
lished but  recently,  this  periodical  enjoys  the  largest  circulation 
of  any  religious  paper  on  the  island. 

.4.  Joint  Sunnner  Institute.  This  is  no  longer  an  experi- 
ment. The  Second  Summer  Institute  met  in  August,  1919,  at 
Sancti  Spiritu.  Ten  days  were  spent  together  in  profitable 
study  and  wholesome  recreation.  This  Institute  was  thrown 
open  to  all  denominations  that  wished  to  send  delegates.  It 
was  an  occasion  affording  the  frankest  interchange  of  ideas 
on  the  common  problem  before  them  and  did  much  to  cement 
all  creeds  into  a closer  Christian  fellowship.  A special  lecturer 
for  this  conference  is  to  be  furnished  this  year  by  the  Commit- 
tee on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America. 

A very  real  and  pressing  project  before  the  Christian  people 
of  Havana  at  present  is  the  matter  of  the  Union  Evangelical 
Church.  The  very  inadequate  provision  in  Havana  for  re- 
ligious work  in  any  form  among  English  speaking  people  has 
influenced  a group  of  Christian  men  to  take  definite  steps  for 
the  improvement  of  this  condition.  A great  union  church  and 
social  center  is  planned  which  will  cost  about  a Cjuarter  of  a 
million  dollars.  Havana  is  one  of  the  largest  ports  in  America. 
Its  commerce  is  of  such  importance  that  the  English  speaking 
people  are  drawn  to  it  in  large  numbers  from  all  parts  of  the 
world.  Its  resident  population  of  this  element,  rapidly  pn  the 
increase,  now  numbers  into  thousands,  and  it  is  estimated  that 
more  than  fifty  thousand  come  and  go  during  the  tourist  sea- 
son. Havana  is  the  nearest  port  to  the  United  States  where 
there  are  no  temperance  restrictions — eight  hours  only  from 
the  Florida  Coast.  Definite  and  well  organized  efforts  are  be- 
ing put  forth  to  make  the  amusements  of  Havana  attractive  to 
the  visitor.  The  race  track  already  brings  thousands  to  the 
city  during  the  season.  The  financial  opportunity  which  the 
recent  legislation  in  the  United  States  offers  to  a very  undesir- 
able element  of  society  in  Havana,  is  apparent.  The  Christian 
forces  are  awake  to  the  need  for  a very  definite  and  thoroughly 
organized  effort  on  their  part  in  behalf  of  the  children  and 
youth  of  residents  as  well  as  the  youth  who  for  business  pur- 
poses or  for  pleasure  may  visit  the  city.  They  are  earnestly 
desirous  that  the  very  best  in  the  Anglo-Saxon  civilization  shall 
be  not  only  represented  in  Havana  but  represented  adequately. 

The  work  of  the  Committee  has  been  somewhat  handicapped 
by  a vacancy  in  the  office  of  the  Executive  Secretary.  Mr. 

IS 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


Sylvester  Jones,  the  former  Secretary,  was  called  into  the  head- 
quarters of  the  Friends’  Board  as  Latin  American  Secretary. 
A considerable  interval  elapsed  before  Rev.  H.  D.  Cox,  also  of 
the  Friends’  Mission,  was  elected  and  took  charge.  The  pres- 
ent officers  of  the  Committee  on  Conference,  in  addition  to 
Mr.  Cox,  are  Rt.  Rev.  H.  R.  Flulse,  President;  Rev.  E.  A. 
Odell,  Vice-President,  and  Mr.  W.  M.  Whitner,  Treasurer. 
The  address  of  the  Committee  and  of  the  literature  depository 
is  Egido  12,  Havana. 


PORTO  RICO 

The  Evangelical  Semin-ary  of  Porto  Rico.  The  most  impor- 
tant happening  of  the  year  was  the  inauguration  of  this  insti- 
tution on  September  11.  The  organization  of  the  Seminary 
has  been  effected  in  a most  satisfactory  manner.  While  the 
school  is  in  the  very  beginning  of  its  history,  yet  sufficient  time 
has  elapsed  to  demonstrate  clearly  the  wisdom  of  this  co- 
operative enterprise,  and  a new  prestige  has  already  been  given 
to  Evangelical  work  in  the  Island.  There  is  a splendid  student 
body  of  23.  In  every  way  the  cooperating  missions  have  given 
the  Seminary  their  most  cordial  support. 

The  Blanche  Kellogg  Institute  and  the  Polytechnic  Institute. 
While  these  two  institutions  are  under  the  direct  control  of  de- 
nominational agencies,  yet  they  are  essentially  interdenomina- 
tional in  their  activities.  It  is  most  gratifying  to  note  the  real 
progress  that  is  being  made  in  both  of  these  institutions,  as 
evidenced  by  the  increased  number  of  students  as  well  as  by 
the  excellent  type  of  work  actually  accomplished.  They  min- 
ister to  the  needs  of  all  of  the  denominations  and  are  factors 
of  first  importance  in  performing  the  task  assigned  to  the 
Christian  churches.  Cooperation  with  these  institutions  is 
given  in  the  way  of  scholarships.  The  number  of  these  should 
be  greatly  increased. 

The  Social  Purity  Campaign.  Following  up  the  campaign 
of  the  previous  year  the  Sub-Committee  on  Social  Reform 
called  for  a general  observance  of  Social  Purity  Sunday  on 
March  2.  The  churches  responded  well  to  the  call  and  gave  a 
decided  impetus  to  the  cause  represented.  Literature  prepared 
for  the  occasion  was  widely  circulated  throughout  the  Island. 
The  offerings  from  the  churches,  which  amounted  to  $351.50, 
were  turned  over  to  the  Insular  Social  Welfare  Committee 
which  at  that  time  was  giving  attentioh  to  the  unfortunate 
women  who  were  confined  to  prison  when  the  Island  had  its 
moral  clean-up  a few  months  before. 

The  Depository  of  Evangelical  Publications.  Notwithstand- 
ing the  difficulties  that  we  have  experienced  in  securing  books. 


16 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


the  past  year  has  been  the  best  in  the  history  of  the  Deposi- 
tory. During  the  year  3919  books  were  sold,  and  many  more 
would  have  been  sold  had  we  been  able  to  secure  a larger  stock. 
The  capital  of  the  Depository  was  increased  $200  last  year,  and 
with  the  increase  promised  this  year,  the  total  will  amount 
to  $1,000. 

Puerto  Rico  Evangelico.  This  common  organ  continues  to 
be  a vital  factor  in  the  work.  It  has  been  enlarged  and  im- 
proved, and  the  number  of  subscribers  is  increasing  continually. 
Last  September,  when  we  had  4,000  subscribers,  we  launched 
a campaign  for  new  subscribers,  with  a view  to  doubling  that 
number  by  January  1,  1923.  Our  first  objective  was  to  reach 
5,000  by  January  1,  1920.  But  long  before  that  the  5,000  mark 
was  passed  and  it  is  hoped  to  reach  6,000  by  the  last  of 
January,  and  a 50  per  cent  increase  for  the  first  year.  The 
campaign  will  continue  until  10,000  subscribers  are  secured. 
Facilities  for  turning  out  the  paper  with  the  present  number 
of  subscribers  are  being  severely  taxed,  and  there  is  immediate 
need  of  the  additional  equipment  asked  for  in  the  budget. 

A few  weeks  ago  this  printing  plant  issued  a book  of  poems 
entitled  “Primicias  de  mi  Huerto,”  by  the  Rev.  Angel  Archilla 
Cabrera.  This  is  the  first  evangelical  book  to  be  published  in 
Puerto  Rico,  and  has  been  given  a most  cordial  reception. 

The  Summer  Conference.  Owing  to  the  late  date  at  which 
arrangements  were  begun  for  the  Summer  Conference  last 
year,  it  seemed  necessary  to  postpone  it  until  the  coming  sum- 
mer. Already  plans  are  under  way  for  the  Conference  next 
June,  and  the  outlook  is  excellent.  It  is  necessary  that  the 
plan  be  heartily  supported  and  that  it  is  made  possible  for  all 
the  workers  to  attend.  In  addition  to  a lecturer  to  be  furnished 
by  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America,  it  is  likely 
that  the  International  Sunday  School  Association  will  send  a 
representative.  This  Summer  Conference  should  become  a 
part  of  the  regular  interdenominational  program. 

Actions  Taken  by  the  Central  Conference  Committee  of  the 
Evangelical  Union  at  Its  Recent  Annual  Meeting.  The  Survey 
Department  of  the  Interchurch  World  Movement  requested  the 
Evangelical  Union  to  make  up  a five  year  program,  which  they 
did  under  the  direction  of  the  Secretary,  Philo  W.  Drury. 
This  was  officially  approved  at  its  recent  Annual  Meeting. 

The  budgets  for  the  five-year  program  set  forth  the  needs 
for  the  successful  prosecution  of  the  work.  There  is  a unity 
to  the  plan,  and  the  different  phases  of  the  work  have  been 
given  close  attention.  In  the  budgets  provision  has  been  made 
for  the  following  work : 


17 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


(1)  Under  the  direction  of  the  Social  Reform  Committee: 
(a)  Observance  of  Social  Purity  Day;  (b)  observance  of  Law 
Enforcement  Day;  (c)  purchase  of  stereopticon  slides  for  the 
use  of  the  Committee;  (d)  religious  survey  of  the  Island  in 
1920. 

(2)  Lhider  the  direction  of  the  Committee  on  Evangelism: 
Special  attention  to  Evangelism. 

(3)  Under  the  direction  of  the  Literature  Committee:  (a) 
Bookstore  in  Ponce  and  enlargement  of  Puerto  Rico  Evangelico 
Printing  Plant,  in  a building  erected  for  the  purpose;  (b) 
Bookstore  in  San  Juan;  (c)  Placing  of  evangelical  literature 
in  the  Island  bookstores;  (d)  Additional  capital  for  the  De- 
pository of  Evangelical  Publications. 

(4)  Under  the  direction  of  the  Educational  Committee: 
(a)  Buildings,  equipment,  and  provision  for  expenses  for  the 
Evangelical  Seminary  of  Puerto  Rico;  (b)  Buildings,  equip- 
ment and  operating  expenses  of  Blanche  Kellogg  Institute. 

2.  In  addition  the  following  action  was  taken : 

(1)  The  Baptist  Mission  is  requested  to  allocate  Mr. 
Abelardo  M.  Diaz  for  editorial  work — that  he  continue  as 
editor  of  “Puerto  Rico  Evangelico,”  and  that  he  give  the  re- 
mainder of  his  time  to  the  preparation  of  tracts  and  other  ma- 
terial adapted  to  Porto  Rico. 

(2)  Each  denomination  is  requested  to  employ  at  least  one 
colporter  who  will  devote  himself  exclusively  to  the  distribu- 
tion of  Christian  literature  within  the  territory  occupied  by 
his  denomination. 

(3)  The  Sub-Committee  on  Literature  of  the  Committee 
on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  is  requested  to  take  into  ac- 
count in  the  formation  of  its  program  the  urgent  need  of  litera- 
ture for  young  people  especially. 

(4)  The  Constitution  of  the  Evangelical  Union  was  amend- 
ed so  as  to  make  provision  for  an  Executive  Committee  repre- 
senting all  of  the  denominations  comprising  the  Union,  which 
will  attend  to  all  matters  related  to  the  Union  in  the  intervals 
between  the  regular  meetings. 

(5)  It  was  decided  to  organize  the  “Sunday  School  Asso- 
ciation of  Puerto  Rico”  during  the  Summer  Conference.  A 
constitution  for  the  proposed  Association  was  approved. 

(6)  In  harmony  with  the  request  of  the  Committee  on  Co- 
operation in  Latin  America,  Philo  W.  Drury  was  elected  Execu- 
tive Secretary  of  the  Evangelical  Union. 

Funds  for  the  Coming  Year.  The  funds  granted  by  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation  for  the  past  year  were  used  largely 
in  the  payment  for  clerical  help,  a small  part  being  used  for 
travel  and  office  expenses.  As  no  provision  has  been  made 


18 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


here  to  cover  such  expenses,  and  as  the  Executive  Secretary- 
will  be  freer  to  give  attention  to  the  interests  of  the  Union,  it 
seems  that  the  amount  available  for  the  coming  year  should  be 
increased. 

Appreciation.  The  following  appreciation  is  expressed: 
‘‘The  workers  of  Puerto  Rico  greatly  appreciate  the  services 
that  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  is  rendering  the  cause  of 
the  Kingdom  in  this  Island,  and  they  crave  your  prayers  and 
help  so  that  under  the  divine  leading  the  best  solution  to  the 
many  intricate  problems  may  be  attained.” 

Visit  of  Executive  Secretary.  The  Executive  Secretary  of 
the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  visited  Porto 
Rico  in  June  of  the  past  year  and  had  a three  day  conference 
with  the  Evangelical  workers  dealing  with  problems  connected 
with  the  Evangelical  Seminary,  Mission  Schools  on  the  Island, 
the  Interchurch  World  Movement  and  the  occupation  of  Santo 
Domingo  and  Haiti.  The  spirit  of  unity  and  devotion  among 
the  workers  was  greatly  in  evidence. 

A new  spirit  was  found  among  the  people  in  general  caused 
by  the  experience  of  the  war.  There  have  been  many  labor 
disturbances  during  the  year,  and  in  spite  of  prosperity  in 
some  quarters  the  economic  condition  continues  to  be  serious, 
due  especially  to  the  overcrowded  condition  of  the  Island.  It 
is  estimated  that  there  are  two  and  a half  men  for  every  posi- 
tion to  be  filled.  On  a little  stretch  of  territory  a hundred 
miles  long  by  forty  wide  there  live  a million  and  a quarter  of 
people,  which  means  about  330  to  the  square  mile.  And  most 
of  this  population  is  rural.  San  Juan  the  largest  city  has 
scarcely  over  fifty  thousand  people.  There  are  no  great  factories 
that  furnish  employment  for  large  numbers  of  men.  The 
products  of  the  Island  are  very  limited,  sugar,  fruit,  coffee 
and  a few  other  things.  If  people  are  shut  out  of  the  industry 
on  which  they  depend  there  is  no  place  for  them  to  turn  for 
work. 

The  government,  recognizing  the  seriousness  of  the  economic 
problem,  has  been  doing  good  work  in  training  the  people  to 
raise  diversified  crops,  but  this  has  had  scarcely  time  to  bear 
fruit  as  yet. 

It  has  been  difficult  for  these  people  to  understand,  hereto- 
fore, why  they  should  have  any  special  loyalty  toward  the 
United  States.  But  since  they  have  been  gathered  into  can- 
tonments and  taught  the  meaning  of  keeping  step,  literally  and 
figuratively,  been  shown  how  near  the  war  came  to  them  by 
the  sinking  of  the  Carolina,  on  which  some  of  their  loved  ones 
lost  their  lives,  had  many  of  their  boys  who  were  in  the  United 
States  carried  over  to  France  to  fight,  they  have  been  able  to 


19 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


see  that  they  are  a real  part  of  this  country.  The  regret  of 
most  of  the  thinking  people  is  that  the  men  were  not  kept  in 
camp  longer,  and  that  there  was  not  a prolongation  of  food  and 
other  regulations  which  caused  the  people  to  consider  as  never 
before  the  meaning  of  life  and  the  relation  of  their  little  island, 
which  has  so  long  lived  to  itself,  to  the  big  world  on  the  outside. 

There  were  thirteen  thou.sand  soldiers  in  Camp  “Las  Casas.” 
At  least  20  per  cent  of  them  had  never  had  on  shoes  before. 
In  many  cases  they  made  more  money  than  they  knew  what  to 
do  with.  They  knew  nothing  of  what  it  meant  to  do  things 
by  the  clock,  to  do  them  in  unison  with  others,  to  think  of  the 
effect  that  every  little  action  would  have  on  thousands  of 
others,  to  obey  orders  to  the  letter,  to  read  patriotic  literature, 
to  hear  lectures  on  sanitation,  venereal  diseases,  the  social 
message  of  Christianity,  and  the  meaning  of  the  fight  to  make 
the  world  safe  for  Democracy.  Many  interesting  stories  are 
told  by  the  “Y”  men  and  others  who  worked  in  the  camps  and 
gained  the  confidences  of  the  men.  Like  all  Latins,  it  makes 
no  difference  how  ignorant,  they  were  keenly  interested  in  dis- 
cussion. Religious  meetings  were  among  the  most  largely  at- 
tended of  all  that  were  held.  Often  there  would  be  a thousand 
men  at  a Sunday  night  service  at  the  “Y”  and  the  attention 
would  be  breathless.  These  new  experiences  have  contributed 
remarkably  to  the  opening  of  new  opportunities  for  the  Evan- 
gelical Church. 

The  problem  of  living  in  Porto  Rico  is  exceedingly  difficult 
because  of  the  few  crops,  most  of  which  are  exported,  and  the 
need  of'  importing  the  principal  cereals  and  manufactured 
articles,  along  with  a greatly  overcrowded  population.  The 
missionary  program  should  keep  very  constantly  in  mind  the 
necessity  of  helping  the  people  in  the  solution  of  these  prac- 
tical problems  which  so  closely  relate  themselves  to  the  devel- 
opment of  a strong  indigenous  religious  force. 

SANTO  DOMINGO  AND  HAITI 

At  the  request  of  the  Home  Mission  Boards  a survey  of 
these  two  countries  was  made  by  the  Executive  Secretary  in 
June  and  July,  1919,  a report  of  which  is  just  coming  from  the 
press  in  a 100-page  booket.  Most  primitive  conditions  were 
found  and  practically  a virgin  field,  as  missionary  societies  had 
done  next  to  nothing  for  these  countries.  The  West  Indies 
Committee  has  approved  the  occupation  of  the  Island  by  a 
joint  board  of  trustees  which  shall  be  appointed  by  the  boards 
entering  into  the  enterprise  and  shall  have  full  charge  of  ad- 
ministering the  work.  Thus  an  endeavor  will  be  made  to 
enter  this,  one  of  the  last  virgin  fields  on  earth,  as  a united 

20 


Cooperation  in  I^atin  America 


Evangelical  Church,  eliminating  the  organization  of  denomina- 
tional churches.  This  is  probably  the  first  attempt  to  go  this 
far  in  cooperation  and  the  plan  involves  difficulties.  But  it 
seems  worth  while  to  make  an  earnest  trial  along  these  lines 
about  which  so  much  has  been  said  when  such  an  ideal  field  is 
found  for  the  experiment. 

The  Forces.  The  Episcopal  Church  has  a few  stations  in 
Haiti  with  one  or  two  chapels  in  Santo  Domingo.  The  Wes- 
leyan Methodists  of  England  have  done  some  work  in  both 
countries,  but  for  the  last  decade  have  been  gradually  abandon- 
ing the  field.  The  Free  Methodists  have  three  congregations 
and  one  day  school  in  northern  Santo  Domingo.  One  or  two 
of  the  American  negro  denominations  have  evengelistic  work 
in  Haiti  and  there  are  a few  scattering  independent  workers. 
What  is  said  to  be  the  most  efficient  boarding  school  for  boys 
in  Haiti  is  conducted  by  the  French  Catholic  Brothers  of  St. 
Louis.  One  independent  Wesleyan  missionary  conducts  Bird 
College,  which  is  the  only  Protestant  boarding  school  on  the 
island  and  is  full  to  overflowing.  The  Moravians  have  several 
preaching  points  on  the  island  but  no  intensive  work.  Most  of 
the  Protestant  meeting  places  are  mere  shacks,  though  a large 
brick  chapel  is  nearing  completion  by  the  African'M.  E.  Zion 
Church  in  Port  au  Prince  and  the  Episcopalians  have  recently 
purchased  a fine  plot  of  ground  in  the  same  city  with  a view 
of  adequately  equipping  their  church  and  schools. 

The  only  places  where  Protestantism,  so  called,  is  meeting 
with  any  general  favor  are  in  a few  of  the  Haitian  cities  where 
many  seem  attracted  by  an  emotional,  revivalistic  type  of  ser- 
vice that  makes  no  persistent  effort  to  relate  itself  to  the  moral 
and  social  problems  of  the  people.  The  great  village  and  rural 
population  is  untouched,  as  are  the  majority  of  the  urban  folk. 

Proposed  Program.  For  Santo  Domingo  it  is  proposed  to 
develop  two  large  urban  centers  with  well-equipped  social, 
educational  and  evangelistic  work  at  Santo  Domingo  City  and 
at  Santiago.  Industrial  schools  with  courses  in  trades,  agri- 
culture, sanitation,  community  service,  preparation  for  rural 
teaching,  domestic  science,  etc.,  are  to  be  featured,  with  an 
evangelical  bookstore  and  a large  union  hospital  and  training 
school  for  nurses  at  the  capital.  The  institutional  churches 
proposed  for  these  centers  will  inaugurate  programs  with  lec- 
tures on  moral,  hygienic,  educational  and  religious  topics  of- 
fering courses  in  religious  education  with  a public  forum,  boys’ 
and  girls’  clubs,  kindergarten,  night  school,  public  library, 
clinic  and  dispensary.  Four  smaller  centers  should  be  opened 
at  San  Pedro  de  Macoris,  Puerto  Plata,  San  Francisco  de 


21 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


Macoris  and  Sanchez,  and  from  these  evangelistic  work  may 
be  projected  into  all  parts  of  the  country. 

For  Haiti  three  principal  centers  are  proposed,  at  Port  au 
Prince,  Cap  Haitien  and  Gonaives.  Similar  features  to  those 
outlined  for  Santo  Domingo  are  planned,  with  an  especial  em- 
phas  on  industrial  education  along  the  lines  of  Hampton 
Institute  but  more  elementary. 

MEXICO 

The  National  Evangelical  Convention  held  in  Mexico  City 
February  17-21,  1919,  inaugurated  what  is  probably  the  most 
inclusive  program  ever  outlined  by  Christian  forces  for  any 
nation,  a program  unanimously  endorsed  by  the  Mexican  lead- 
ers, missionaries  and  board  secretaries  present.  President  Car- 
ranza, in  a special  audience,  gave  assurance  of  his  sympathy 
and  approval. 

Among  the  outstanding  features  of  the  program  are;  A 
university  in  the  City  of  Mexico ; a hospital  in  the  City  of 
Mexico ; eight  agricultural  schools  in  different  sections ; a 
community  center  or  institutional  church  in  each  important 
center ; normal  schools  in  districts  lacking  them  and  strengthen- 
ing of  these  now  in  existence ; equipment  of  the  union  Evangel- 
ical Seminary  of  Mexico ; the  union  of  missionary  publishing 
interests ; a campaign  to  popularize  medical  and  sanitary 
knowledge ; a definite  division  of  territorial  responsibility. 

Two  of  these  proposals  have  already  crystalized  into  reality, 
the  Evangelical  Press  of  Mexico  having  been  organized  as  book- 
sellers and  publishers  for  eight  Mission  Boards,  maintaining  a 
bookstore  in  the  downtown  section  of  Mexico  City  and  publish- 
ing a weekly  paper,  El  Mundo  Cristiano.  The  new  paper 
takes  the  place  of  six  denominational  papers  and  its  improved 
appearance  and  greater  usefulness  are  already  greatly  appreci- 
ated. 

The  division  of  territorial  responsibility,  which  has  been  dis- 
cussed for  years,  was  entirely  completed  during  this  year.  The 
greatest  harmony  has  prevailed  in  the  transfer  of  work  and  the 
experience  has  been  probably  the  most  outstanding  one  of  this 
character  in  all  missionary  history.  The  two  Boards  that 
changed  their  fields  completely,  the  Disciples  of  Christ  and  the 
Southern  Presbyterians,  have  now  transferred  all  their  work- 
ers to  the  new  territory. 

The  union  Evangelical  Seminary  has  been  strengthened.  A 
good  deal  of  preliminary  work  has  been  done  toward  the  union 
University.  It  has  been  decided  to  request  the  Mission  Boards 
to  provide  for  the  first  year  five  hundred  thousand  dollars, 
which  would  buy  the  land  necessary  and  erect  a building  for 

22 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


normal  and  commercial  Departments  which  should  be  the  first 
opened. 

The  strong  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Mexico  is  to  be  still 
further  aided  by  the  employment  of  a General  Secretary.  In 
cooperation  with  the  various  Churches,  with  the  Interna- 
tional Sunday  School  Association  and  the  United  Society  of 
Christian  Endeavor,  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin 
America  has  just  secured  Mr.  Geo.  M.  McBride  for  this  posi- 
tion. Besides  promoting  the  union  program  above  outlined  he 
will  serve  the  Mexican  Committee  in  developing  such  interde- 
nominational activities  as  temperance,  Sunday  School  and 
young  people’s  work.  Mr.  McBride  was  formerly  an  educa- 
tional missionary  in  Chile  and  Bolivia  and  is  splendidly  equip- 
ped for  this  important  service. 

The  Educational  Committee  of  the  Mexican  Cooperation 
Committee  has  been  organized  to  represent  officially  the  mis- 
sion boards  and  is  endeavoring  to  secure  as  Secretary,  Prof. 
Moises  Saenz,  now  Director  of  the  National  Preparatory 
School. 

With  these  two  leaders  giving  their  whole  time  to  the  devel- 
opment of  general  missionary  activities,  rapid  results  may  be 
expected. 

In  spite  of  reports  of  bad  conditions  in  Mexico,  the  mission 
boards  find  this  year  one  of  the  best  in  all  their  history,  with 
calls  for  opening  new  schools,  social  centers  and  churches  far 
beyond  the  ability  of  the  present  forces  to  answer.  All  Boards 
are  maintaining  a full  force  of  workers  which  are  located  in 
all  parts  of  the  Republic  carrying  on  their  work  with  encour- 
agement from  people  and  officials.  Toward  the  settlement  of 
the  “Mexican  Question”  the  American  missionary  forces  now 
offer  a comprehensive,  long  studied,  inclusive,  educational 
program,  on  a fundamental  spiritual  basis  which  alone  will 
redeem  Mexico. 


BRAZIL 

This  has  been  the  best  year  the  Regional  Committee  of 
Brazil  has  had.  The  Committee  has  been  reorganized,  and  is 
now  composed  of  representatives  appointed  by  the  various 
ecclesiastical  organizations  in  Brazil. 

The  Sub-committee  on  Survey  has  adjusted  a question  of 
territorial  occupation  between  the  Methodists  and  the  Inde- 
pendent Presbyterian  Church  and  is  working  continually  for 
a better  adjustment  of  territory  in  all  parts  of  Brazil.  As 
there  has  never  been  any  general  understanding  on  this  matter 
it  is  greatly  needed  in  order  that  the  whole  country  shall  be 
adequately  occupied. 


23 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


In  the  matter  of  Literature,  the  Committee,  with  the  back- 
ing of  the  General  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  Amer- 
ica, has  just  secured  the  services  of  Prof.  Erasmo  Braga  for 
Literature  Secretary.  Stalker’s  “Life  of  Paul”  has  been  trans- 
lated and  turned  over  to  the  American  Tract  Society  for  pub- 
lication. The  Southern  Methodist  Board  has  installed  a mod- 
ern printing  plant  in  its  new  building  in  Sao  Paulo,  erected 
expressly  for  this  purpose.  The  manager  of  this  plant,  Mr.  J. 
W.  Clay,  is  also  the  agent  for  the  union  depository  which  is  in 
process  of  development.  The  Mission  Board  has  set  aside  a 
room  for  the  use  of  the  Literature  Secretary  and  it  is  planned 
to  make  this  plant  a union  organization.  It  is  already  serving 
practically  all  of  the  evangelical  churches  in  Brazil,  with  the 
exception  of  the  Southern  Baptists,  who  have  their  own  print- 
ing plant.  Their  plant,  however,  is  located  in  Rio  de  Janeiro 
and  does  not  come  in  competition  with  the  Methodist  plant. 
The  Literature  Committee  works  in  close  cooperation  with  the 
Brazilian  Sunday  School  Association  in  the  production  of 
Sunday  School  literature,  and  the  General  Committee  in  New 
York  made  a special  grant  to  them  for  Sunday  School  litera- 
ture last  year.  In  order  that  development  of  Portuguese  litera- 
ture, which  is  so  far  behind,  may  be  further  hastened,  the 
Literature  Committee  requests  that  Mr.  Myron  Clark  on  his 
return  to  Brazil  be  allowed  by  the  Young  Men’s  Christian 
Association  to  give  half  of  his  time  to  their  work,  assisting 
Prof.  Braga. 

The  Brazilian  Committee  has  endorsed  the  request  from  the 
union  Evangelical  Hospital  of  Rio  de  Janeiro  and  from  the 
union  English-speaking  church  of  that  city  for  funds  for  the 
enlargement  of  their  work.  The  Evangelical  Hospital  was  built 
at  a cost  of  $100,000  by  the  Brazilian  churches.  It  is  not  be- 
ing used  to  its  full  capacity,  however,  because  of  lack  of  funds 
for  its  support. 

The  union  Theological  Seminary,  planned  for  several  years 
by  the  Brazilian  Committee,  began  its  work  this  year  by  Prof. 
Donald  Maclaren,  formerly  President  of  Mackenzie  College, 
taking  his  sabbatical  year  for  service  in  Brazil  and  teaching  a 
small  number  of  students  in  temporary  quarters.  It  is  hoped 
that  next  year  will  see  the  beginning  of  a building  for  this 
important  enterprise. 

The  Brazilian  Sunday  Schools  have  asked  the  World’s  Sun- 
day School  Association  for  a Secretary,  and  such  an  officer 
would  be  of  help  to  the  general  cooperative  work  in  which  all 
are  linked  through  the  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Brazil. 

There  is  great  need  for  more  workers  being  set  aside  for 
the  cooperative  task  in  Brazil.  Few  people  realize  the  diffi- 

24 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


culties  and  problems  involved  in  the  work  in  that  country, 
since  it  is  larger  than  continental  United  States  and  traveling 
facilities  are  very  limited.  Need  of  such  workers  was  recently 
emphasized  by  an  action  of  the  Presbyterian  Mission,  as  fol- 
lows : 

“The  circumstances  of  the  development  of  our  work  in 
Brazil  are  calling  for  the  organization  of  interdenomina- 
tional efforts  ; viz..  Union  Seminary,  Sunday  School  Work, 
University  Federation,  Joint  Literature  Committee,  etc. 
Each  of  these  efforts  calls  for  the  services  of  one  or  more 
men,  as  professors,  general  secretaries,  etc.  The  Execu- 
tive Committee  feels  that  this  work  is  of  such  importance 
at  present  that  the  Board  should  be  willing  to  allocate  any 
of  its  men  who  should  be  chosen ; or,  in  case  the  choice 
falls  on  a Brazilian,  the  Board  should  be  willing  to  contrib- 
ute its  share  to  his  salary  and  expenses  during  the  years 
in  which  the  Brazilian  Church  is  being  organized  for  his 
support.  The  Committee  also  feels  that  such  appointments 
take  precedence  of  all  calls  for  reinforcement  and  where  a 
Board  could  not  meet  such  an  appointment  with  immediate 
replacement  should  even  then  have  precedence.” 

CENTRAL  AMERICA 

This  is  one  of  the  most  neglected  of  all  mission  fields.  In 
order  that  the  problems  may  be  carefully  considered  a Regional 
Conference  is  to  be  held  at  Guatemala  City,  March  26-29, 
1920.  The  three  boards  recognized  as  responsible  for  that 
territory,  the  Presbyterian  U.  S.  A.,  Northern  Baptist  and 
Methodist  Episcopal,  the  Moravians  who  are  doing  Indian 
work  in  Nicaragua  and  the  independent  missionaries  are  in- 
vited to  attend.  Reports  are  being  prepared  on  Evangelism, 
Education,  Literature  and  Community  Service,  with  proposed 
advance  programs  in  all  six  republics. 

OTHER  REGIONAL  COMMITTEES 

No  reports  have  been  received  from  the  other  Regional 
Committees.  While  they  have  all  had  their  annual  meetings 
and  served  as  a clearing  house  and  round  table  for  discussing 
mutual  problems,  they  have  been  able  to  do  little  aggressive 
work  because  of  lack  of  executive  leadership.  Until  secre- 
taries are  secured  for  these  committees  they  will  continue  to 
find  large  service  difficult. 

The  following  summary  of  conditions  presented  by  Bishop 
Oldham  on  his  recent  visit  to  the  United  States  is  significant : 


25 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


(a)  In  Argentina  the  Methodists  and  Disciples  are  coop- 
erating in  the  development  of  a national  college,  probably  the 
first  one  in  Latin  America.  The  Methodists  have  already 
given  up  Paraguay  to  the  Disciples  and  are  ready  to  move 
from  the  three  northern  provinces  as  soon  as  the  Disciples 
can  appoint  workers  for  that  field.  One  of  the  greatest  needs 
in  Argentina  is  a training  school  for  women  workers,  and 
Bishop  Oldham  expects  to  present  this  need  to  the  two  boards 
during  his  present  visit.  As  school  work  advances  the  valida- 
tion of  diplomas  for  North  American  institutions  in  Argentina 
is  found  necessary,  and  this  matter  should  be  studied. 

(b)  The  Montevideo  Seminary  must  be  planned  in  a large 
way.  There  is  no  college  trained  minister  in  all  Spanish 
speaking  South  America.  If  a college  trained  minister  should 
present  himself  there  would  be  no  place  to  give  him  theological 
training.  In  South  America  there  is  a special  emphasis  on 
trained  leadership.  An  educated  man  will  always  refuse  to 
sit  at  the  feet  of  untrained  evangelists.  Everything  possible 
should  be  done  to  start  this  seminary  on  the  highest  basis  and 
well  prepared  young  men  will  no  doubt  be  found  as  students. 

(c)  In  Chile  the  Methodists  and  Presbyterians  have  re- 
cently agreed  to  a better  division  of  the  territory.  It  is  not 
yet  entirely  satisfactory  and  could  only  be  made  so  by  large 
readjustments.  The  Union  Bible  Training  School  in  Santiago 
needs  a better  building  than  has  been  planned  and  the  boards 
will  be  requested  to  face  this  matter.  In  connection  with  the 
new  Normal  School  in  Valparaiso  there  is  planned  a Bible 
Teacher’s  Training  School  for  Women.  This  will  probably  be 
the  first  one  in  South  America. 

(d)  In  Peru  cooperation  has  not  progressed  very  far.  The 
forces  have  not  been  able  to  get  together  yet  for  a union  paper, 
as  proposed,  and  the  Methodists  have  recently  enlarged  their 
paper.  There  is  a great  need  for  a training  school  for  workers. 
The  union  night  school  now  functioning  cannot  meet  the 
demand. 

(e)  There  is  great  need  of  bringing  the  British  societies, 
working  in  South  America  into  closer  connection  with  the  Com- 
mittee on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America.  There  is  a growing 
feeling  that  this  Committee  is  simply  an  American  organiza- 
tion. Something  should  be  done  to  improve  the  connection 
with  the  English  societies  now  that  the  war  is  over.  There  is 
a splendid  spirit  of  good  will  in  South  America  at  the  present 
time.  People  feel  that  the  continent  is  on  the  edge  of  marvel- 
ous things.  They  do  not  know  so  much  about  North  America 
as  a whole,  but  they  have  abundant  confidence  in  President 
Wilson. 


26 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


UNION  ORGANIZATIONS 

The  Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Latin  America  has  acted 
since  its  organization  as  a point  of  contact  for  the  various 
mission  boards  in  their  desire  to  develop  certain  institutions 
which  should  be  of  a cooperative  nature,  rather  than  supported 
by  individual  boards. 

The  following  is  a condensed  schedule  of  such  cooperative 
institutions  and  enterprises,  both  present  and  proposed.  The 
union  enterprises  already  in  operation  are  under  the  direction 
of  union  boards  of  trustees  appointed  by  the  cooperating  socie- 
ties themselves. 

Mexico 

Now  in  operation : Evangelical  Seminary,  Evangelical  Press, 
union  weekly  periodical,  union  bookstore,  secretary  for  the 
Committee  on  Cooperation  in  Mexico,  union  English-speaking 
church. 

The  following  boards  are  cooperating  in  these  enterprises ; 
Methodist  Episcopal,  Southern  Methodist,  Presbyterian,  U.  S. 
A.,  Presbyterian  U.  S.,  Congregational,  Disciples  of  Christ, 
Friends,  Northern  Baptist  (cooperates  in  bookstore).  Young 
Men’s  Christian  Association  (cooperates  in  all  literature  work). 

The  following  institutions  are  proposed  but  not  yet  definitely 
begun : Union  university,  two  union  agricultural  schools,  union 
hospital  in  Mexico  City,  union  training  school  for  women  work- 
ers. 

Cuba 

In  operation:  Union  paper  (supported  by  Presbyterians  and 
Friends),  union  bookstore,  secretary  for  Committee  of  Confer- 
ence in  Cuba. 

Boards  cooperating:  Presbyterian,  Northern  Baptist, 
Friends,  Episcopal,  Y.  M.  C.  A. 

Proposed : Union  theological  seminary,  union  normal  school, 
union  English-speaking  church  in  Havana,  union  hospital. 

Porto  Rico 

In  operation : Union  paper,  bookstore  and  printing  plant. 
Evangelical  Seminary,  secretary  for  cooperative  work. 

Boards  cooperating:  Northern  Baptist,  Presbyterian,  Metho- 
dist, Congregational,  United  Brethren,  Disciples  of  Christ, 
Christian. 

Proposed:  Union  training  school  for  women  workers  (using 
Blanche  Kellogg  Institute),  special  funds  for  evangelistic  and 
social  reform  committees  of  the  Evangelical  Union  of  Porto 
Rico. 


27 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


Santo  Domingo  and  Haiti 

An  entirely  new  program  is  proposed,  including  evangelistic, 
educational,  institutional  and  medical  work,  directed  by  a union 
board  of  trustees. 

Panama 

Proposed  : College  and  training  school  for  workers  to  minis- 
ter to  the  eight  surrounding  republics,  supported  by  Methodist 
Episcopal,  Northern  Presbyterian  and  Northern  Baptist  boards. 

Chile 

In  operation  : Evangelical  Seminary  at  Santiago,  Evangelical 
Normal  School  at  Valparaiso,  union  paper,  union  bookstore. 

Boards  cooperating:  Methodist  Episcopal,  Northern  Pres- 
byterian. 

Proposed  : Junior  college  at  Santiago  under  support  of  above 
boards. 

Argentina 

In  operation : American  College,  evangelical  training  school 
for  men. 

Boards  cooperating:  Methodist  Episcopal.  Disciples  of 
Christ. 

Proposed : Union  training  school  for  women. 

Uruguay 

Proposed : International  Eaculty  of  Theology  and  Social 
Sciences,  at  Montevideo.  Approved  by  Methodist  Episcopal, 
Northern  Presbyterian  and  Disciples  of  Christ  boards  but  not 
yet  inaugurated. 

Brazil 

In  operation : Union  theological  seminary,  supported  by 
Northern  Presbyterians,  Southern  Presbyterians,  Southern 
Methodists,  Congregational  of  Brazil,  Independent  Presbyteri- 
ans and  the  Brazilian  Methodist  and  Presbyterian  Churches ; 
University  Eederation,  which  binds  together  in  a federation 
the  following  professional  schools  : 

Agricultural  College  (Southern  Presbyterian) 

School  of  Pharmacy  and  Dentistry  (Southern  Methodist) 
Mackenzie  College  (Independent) 
and  the  various  secondary  schools  supported  by  these  denomina- 
tions in  Brazil.  There  is  also  in  operation  a union  hospital 
supported  by  the  Brazilian  Evangelical  Church  and  a secre- 
tary for  literature  has  been  provided  for  the  Brazilian  Com- 
mittee on  Cooperation. 

Proposed:  Medical  School,  Law  School.  Normal  School, 
Library  Fund. 


28 


Cooperation  in  Latin  America 


Literature  and  Other  Special  Funds 
(For  All  Latin  America) 

Union  Literature  Program. 

This  contemplates  the  strengthening  or  the  establishment 
of  union  bookstores  and  periodicals  in  all  Latin  American  coun- 
tries and  the  formation  of  a board  of  trustees  to  publish  books 
in  Spanish  and  Portuguese. 

Fund  for  Apologetic  Lectures  and  Evangelists. 

To  carry  the  Gospel  message  to  all  classes  of  people  by  means 
of  meetings  in  colleges,  theatres,  halls  and  clubs. 

Fund  for  Conference  Centers. 

Establishment  of  these  “Northfields”  in  Brazil,  Argentina, 
Chile,  Peru,  Panama,  Mexico,  Cuba,  Porto  Rico. 

Fund  for  Emergency  Training. 

Including  correspondence  courses  and  bringing  workers  to- 
gether for  intensive  training  to  meet  the  immediate  need  of 
leaders  for  the  advance  program. 


With  a new  open-mindedness,  a new  search  for  the  spiritual 
and  a new  demonstration  of  friendship  toward  the  United 
States  evident  in  Latin  America ; with  the  attention  of  the 
world  focused  upon  these  southern  lands  in  a new  way ; and 
with  the  larger  plans  for  service  by  the  American  Churches 
expressed  through  the  Interchurch  World  Movement,  the  Com- 
mittee on  Cooperation  looks  forward  to  great  things  in  the 
year  nineteen  hundred  and  twenty. 

Robert  E.  Speer, 

Chairman. 


Samuel  G.  Inman, 
Executive  Secretary, 

25  Madison  Avenue, 
New  York  City. 


29 


